Finding 1173964 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-17
Audit: 387560
Organization: Food for the Hungry (AZ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Internal control deficiencies were found in payroll documentation, leading to confusion between original and revised timesheets.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be allowable, reasonable, and supported by clear documentation as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure outdated timesheets are removed or marked as void to maintain accurate records for grant charges.

Finding Text

SECTION III - FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Finding #: 2025-001 Food for Peace Cluster (Assistance Listing Numbers 98.007 and 98.008) Award year ended September 30, 2025 Federal Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development Type of Finding: Allowable Costs Internal Control over Compliance (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: In accordance with 23 CFR sections 1.9, 172.11(a), 420.113(a), and 630.106(a), costs incurred under federal awards are considered allowable and reimbursable when such costs are deemed necessary and reasonable; incurred subsequent to the date of authorization to proceed and in accordance with the conditions contained in the project agreement and the plans specifications; and, not included as costs used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements, among other things. A complete system of internal controls requires all expenditures be properly approved and supported by appropriate documentation. Condition/Context: The following internal control issues were noted during testing: From a non-statistical sample of forty (40) payroll expenditures subject to testing, we identified four (4) instances where the transaction had two different versions of support (timesheets), one of which did not agree to the time charged to the grant award. Cause/Effect: Based on discussions with personnel, it was noted that the original timesheet submitted by the employee was subsequently revised during the review/approval process. While FH was able to provide the updated timesheet and tie out the amount charged to the grant award, we observed that both versions of the timesheet remain on file with no markings distinguishing the original from the final version. As it is not clear which timesheet is the original and which is the updated version the current process could result in the incorrect amount being charged to the grant awards. Questioned Costs: None noted. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: FH should remove the superseded version from the file or clearly mark it as void so that supporting documentation on file properly supports the amount charged to the grant award. Views of Responsible Official: Management identified the issue at the time and implemented corrective actions during FY2025, with no impact on costs. The revised process became effective in October 2025.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan Description: Effective October 2025, FH will strengthen its documentation controls to ensure that only the final, approved version of each timesheet is maintained as support for payroll charges to federal awards. Any timesheet revised during the review and approval process will be clearly marked as “void,” and removed from the official support file. Payroll and grant personnel will be instructed on this updated procedure to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200 documentation standards. FH will perform periodic reviews to confirm consistent application of the revised process. Responsible: GSC Grants Finance Officer Due Date: 02/28/2026

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173955 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173956 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173957 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173958 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173959 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173960 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173961 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173962 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173963 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
98.008 FOOD FOR PEACE EMERGENCY PROGRAM (EP) $7.51M
98.007 FOOD FOR PEACE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DAP) $5.62M
98.001 USAID FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR PROGRAMS OVERSEAS $27,354